Title: The adoption of the industrial ecology principles in post-disaster waste management

Authors: Marco Sandrucci; Ioannis Arzoumanidis; Luigia Petti; Andrea Raggi

Addresses: Proger S.p.A. – Engineering and Management, Via Valadier 42, 00193 Rome, Italy ' Department of Economic Studies, University 'G. d'Annunzio', Viale Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara, Italy ' Department of Economic Studies, University 'G. d'Annunzio', Viale Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara, Italy ' Department of Economic Studies, University 'G. d'Annunzio', Viale Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara, Italy

Abstract: A global increase in the occurrence of natural disasters is documented. In the management of such events, waste and debris removal and treatment methods are important. Indeed, a sustainable management of the event's aftermath should include whether and how these materials can be recyclable or recoverable. The economic side obviously plays also a major role. This paper builds on a flood experience in Italy to discuss the application of the principles of industrial ecology in post-disaster waste management. More specifically it focuses on the management of materials deposited by floodwaters. This paradigm shows how they can be treated innovatively and sustainably. Finally, a carefully designed municipal/regional plan could help tackle issues, such as the materials surplus that would need to be inserted in already-existing eco-industrial supply chains and the capacity of the territory to return to its status prior to the disaster.

Keywords: industrial ecology; flood; catastrophic event; waste management; municipal planning; regional planning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSE.2017.087047

International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2017 Vol.9 No.4, pp.341 - 358

Received: 02 Aug 2016
Accepted: 02 Nov 2016
Published online: 05 Oct 2017 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article